Daisy and Nadine had been exchanging ideas about Secretary's strange behavior until a few moments ago and, despite not being able to agree on the reason, had come to the conclusion that something was bothering her. Nadine had suspected a problem of a private nature, such as the death of a family member, or that of a good friend. Daisy, on the other hand, didn't want to believe it, since the press would have already reported on it in a big way. She pursued the theory that the Secretary had rather had an argument or difference of opinion with the president or Russell Jackson, at which she had to nibble something. Whereby, on Nadine's objection, she had to admit that the Secretary was not the type of person who did not have her emotions under control and arbitrarily snapped at others. When the door of the office opened and an exhausted CIA director stepped out of the door, both women had given each other a quick glance to understand that they had better change the they had just been talking about the schedule for Brussel when Andrew Munsey had approached them.
And now Daisy looked at Nadine with a perplexed expression, completely speechless, what to say to the fact that the Secretary's husband asked her to check on his wife. The only thing she could get out while her mind was racing was a long drawn out sound of uncertainty. Uncertainty as to how she should react to this situation. "Um, ..." Damn it, where was Blake when they needed him. He had known the Secretary the longest and definitely the best. He would know how to respond to this request from Director Munsey. Why had he, of all people, not come along on this flight?
Nadine seemed to share her train of thought, as she rose from her chair she murmured softly so it could barely be heard "Where is Blake when you need him?" Before turning to Director Munsey she said in a firm voice "Thanks for the info. I'll check on her in a bit." Daisy looked after Nadine until she shifted her gaze to the CIA Director, slowly rose and walked past him to follow Nadine. Casually over her shoulder she recommended him still the coffee, which was painted extra fresh here. "Have them bring you a coffee, they're really good." With that, she left him standing and nodded to Frank, who had been watching their conversation closely. Frank took Daisy's nod as a sign to rise as well and catch up to Daisy. "Ma'am."
"Thank you Frank." While Nadine and she had agreed that their conversation should remain between them, she was sure that Frank had heard exactly what they both had said. Besides, maybe he would know what was going on with Secretary. After all, he was her bodyguard and got a lot more of the private Elizabeth. "I'm going to assume they were just listening to us, or at least overhearing what Ms. Tolliver and I were talking about." A somewhat uncertain grumble of agreement, confirmed her assumption. "It's all good, don't worry about it. I'm actually grateful." Daisy tried to reassure him and ease his discomfort. "I just thought maybe you picked up on something. I mean, you are clearly spending more time with her outside the State Department, than I or..."
Frank raised his hands in a placating gesture to interrupt her flow of words. "Yes, I get to see more of the Secretary's personal life. And no, I cannot, and must not, tell you about it." He paused briefly as he noticed the change in Daisy's expression and gave her a brief look of regret before continuing to speak with slight amusement in his voice. "Sorry, I'd like to do my job a little longer though."Frank looked around, they were already almost at the door of the office, but already far enough away from the others that he could risk it. Daisy noticed his searching look and looked around as well before looking at Frank again.
Both had stopped now and looked at each other. "All right, ..." began Frank, holding up his finger. "But this is just between us." Daisy nodded eagerly. Frank looked at her piercingly "And I'm just reporting facts. I don't answer questions. You'll have to do the detective work yourself, I'm not putting one and one together for you. That's not my job." Daisy nodded again eagerly.
"The Secretary hasn't slept home in six days straight, and not for the first time. She was home for a short time, but came back out of the house in the evening in a rush and wanted to leave again. Where to, I don't know." He smiled mischievously and Daisy groaned softly. His seriousness about his job was honorable, but all she wanted to know was if she had to worry about Secretary."Also, for some time, a few months or so, she doesn't always seem to feel all that well. She's been snor..." Frank faltered for a moment, thinking before deciding against it. This is clearly getting too deep into the Secretary's privacy.
Daisy noticed the pause Frank made and raised her eyebrows questioningly. "What?" "Oh, you know, we should really..." Frank gestured and the toward the office door and Daisy snorted in disappointment. As much as she respected Secretary's privacy, she was also distressed by her well-being. Before she could say anything to ask Frank to keep an even closer eye on his charge, Frank was already saying "I'll talk to my colleagues again, we'll keep an eye on her. Thank you for reaching out to me with your concerns and worries. Diplomacy Security is informed." With that, he left her standing and continued on his way toward the office.
Daisy was satisfied with the DS agent's answer and hurried to catch up with him again. Frank was already at the door and opened it just as Daisy was standing next to him again. She was actually about to thank him for breaking the rules of his job and talking to her about Elizabeth, when her attention was diverted from the scene in front of them. "Aghhh."
She drew in a breath as Frank, who had now also seen what had so startled Daisy, called Matt, Simon and Fred over with a harsh whistle. He could not yet assess the situation. So it was better if he had reinforcements and backup.
Matt could immediately interpret the look on his longtime partner's face and knew what to do. He instructed Simon to stop at the front of the office and not let anyone through, while he told Fred to move to the other end of the aisle.
Matt had stumbled into the room behind Daisy and Frank, closing the door behind them. The image before them, startled him. Never had he seen her, the Secretary of State, so vulnerable and overwhelmed. Sure he knew the world, especially for someone like her, wasn't always rosy, but to actually see her so broken shook him. And from the look on Frank's face, his partner felt no different.
After Daisy took a moment to collect herself, Matt and Frank were already back in their job mode. Both looked around searchingly, and Frank disappeared into the Secretary's private compartment after a brief exchange of glances with Matt. They were probably both looking for a reason why the Secretary looked the way she did.
An oppressive feeling spread through her, a feeling that made her fear the worst. The feeling that Frank and Fred would not find the reason here, since the reason had already disappeared from the room and had asked her and Nadine to check on the Secretary. When she saw Frank step out of the compartment, she looked him in the eye and her stomach turned.
Frank's look had been completely enough to confirm her feeling. Apparently Matt had already had the thought as well, because he too looked like someone had punched him in the stomach.
How could that be? They always looked so happy together. Hadn't she overheard the Secretary talking to her husband on the phone on her first day in the office? She was almost in the ground with shame and couldn't look the pretty blonde woman in the eye for the next few days because she kept thinking about what she had heard and couldn't forget. Daisy felt her knees go weak. How could this be. Such a powerful woman...
Matt was able to slide a chair under Daisy's butt just in time before her knees gave out completely. He looked at Frank. One look was enough to agree that the Secretary had priority.
He looked around, this time not looking for a possible enemy, but for information. What had happened here? He caught sight of Nadine's mop of hair behind the desk and, after walking around the table, the Secretary as well. The sight of her startled him. She was huddled against the wall, her knees bent and her face buried in her hands. Her sobs pierced the silence of the room at irregular intervals.
Nadine knelt in front of her and Fred could hear her soft voice. "Elizabeth, breathe. In ..." He observed the scene more closely. "... Out ..." The Secretary's blouse had slipped, exposing one of her shoulders. When Fred spotted the bruises, he took a deep breath. "...In..."
Frank looked at his partner. Matt had never had any problems in any situation, but this seemed to really get to him. He put a hand on his shoulder. On the one hand to reassure him and on the other hand to push him out of the office in a friendly but firm way. He didn't need anyone else to worry about right now. That Daisy was sitting in the chair, seemingly paralyzed, staring off into nothing was enough.
"...Out..." After closing the door again, he slowly walked around the desk and toward the two women.
Elizabeth was still twitching uncontrollably and her sobs filled the room, interrupted only now and then, by Nadine's soft voice. "...In...". Frank couldn't help it, he too found it extremely difficult to see his boss and one of the most powerful people in the world like this.
"Elizabeth, it's all right. Frank and I are with you." And Daisy, Frank added silently, though that didn't really count. A quick sideways glance at the chair, confirmed his suspicions. Daisy was still sitting there completely motionless. Apparently finding the air more interesting than anything else.
Remembering the conversation with Daisy, an idea occurred to him. Maybe it would work and she would start to relax. On the other hand, she might think it was him or find the presence of a man frightening in general, and the situation wouldn't get any better. But trying was worth it, especially since Nadine didn't seem to be getting through to Elizabeth.
"He's not here." Nadine looked at him over her shoulder in confusion.
Frank held her gaze and now knelt beside the Secretary as well. "Ma'am. he's not here." after a brief pause waiting to see how she responded, he continued. "Director Mundey is no longer here. Everything is fine. Andrew is gone." His feared violent reaction from Secretary failed to materialize. Frank exhaled in relief. Happy that he hadn't triggered another bout of panic.
After both Nadine and Frank took turns coaxing her and her trembling had subsided, the Secretary seemed to slowly become aware of her surroundings again. She responded to Nadine's request to take a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders a bit again. After some time, Nadine asked in a soft voice, "Can you stand up?" But the woman kneeling on the floor did not respond to her question. Seeking help, Nadine looked around for Frank. She knew that adjoining the office, was the Secretary's private area, where there was also a bed. There she could rest and maybe even sleep a few more hours.
In a friendly but firm voice, Nadine informed Elizabeth of her plan. "Elizabeth we, Frank and I, Nadine, will now take you to your compartment. You can rest there." Frank nodded briefly to Nadine and then hurried next to Nadine. Together they grabbed Elizabeth under the arms and lifted her to her feet. Before they carefully supported her. Frank wondered briefly at the sudden rigidity that had fallen over the Secretary. One look into Nadine's eyes was enough to let her know that he would carry her if necessary, if she couldn't make it to the bed on her own two feet.
Nevertheless, they tried and actually succeeded in getting Elizabeth to the private compartment on her own two feet. Though only step by step, the door leading into her private compartment and to the bed came closer and closer. Together they stepped into the room. Carefully, the two set Secretary down on the edge of the bed. She was sobbing harder again and her shoulders were jerking up and down restlessly again. Frank looked helplessly down at the woman and felt some sadness. Sadness for the once strong woman and for what she had to go through that put her in this position. Then he felt Nadine's hand on his arm "Come on, there's nothing more we can do for her." He shook his head slightly to sort out his thoughts before leaving the room behind Nadine and closing the door quietly behind him. She was right. There was nothing more he could do for her now, so high in the clouds, except make sure she had her peace and no one came to her. His job was to protect her.